Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Enlightenment performance by Penelope Thompson




enlightenment:
1 : the act or means of enlightening : the state of being enlightened

to enlighten :
1 archaic : ILLUMINATE (1) : to supply or brighten with light
2 a : to furnish knowledge to : INSTRUCT b : to give spiritual insight to

This interactive performance uses a string of pulsing electric lights to symbolise the light energy or life force that connects every being.
In a completely darkened room, the artist creates a special space for the audience to experience “enlightenment”.
At the beginning of the performance a large pulsating light ball slowly emerges to become first a pentacle and then a giant spiral, laid out on the floor. The audience members are then invited to experience interaction with the lights.

enlightenment



This performance was in March 2006 at LOOP Alternative Space, Hongdae, Seoul, for the opening of the Move on Asia - Clash & Network Media exhibition.

Monday, March 06, 2006

The Canadian Survival Apron by Penelope Thompson




This is an art project I contributed to an international touring exhibition of artwork based on aprons - called the "Provincial Spirit Apron Exhibition".
I made the apron as a humorous response to my first experience of challenges of the "wilds" of British Columbia, Canada in February 2006.

The apron includes everything one would need to survive a Canadian winter - including fishing tackle, a hunting knife, a bottle of brandy and of course, the stash tin and matches!


I couldn't resist doing a little performance wearing the apron in the gallery.
See the video below. It may take a little while to download.

The Canadian Survival apron